Bank counter structure



Aug. 18, 1931. E. A. EKEDAHL 1,319,153

BANK COUNTER STRUCTURE Filed March 28, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Eri/(A. Eliedahl, V

Aug. 18, 1931.

E. A. EKEDAHL BANK COUNTER STRUCTU Fi led March 28, 19 30 7 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 gmwll H In...

Aug. 18, 1931.; E. A. EKEDAHL BANK COUNTER STRUCTURE 5' Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 28, 1930 Era/1A Ehl,

Aug. 8 931- E. A. EKEDAHL 1,819,153

BANK COUNTER STRUCTURE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 28, 1930.

Aug. 18,-1931. E. A. EKEDAHL BANK COUNTER STRUCTURE Filed March 28, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 gwuzntu EriKA.Emedahz, I

Patented Aug. 18, 1931 r;

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ERIK A. EKEDAHL, OF YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE GENERAL FIR-EPROOF- ING COMPANY, OF YOUNGSTOWN,,OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO BANK COUNTER srniroronn A Application filed March 28, 1930. Serial No. 439,740.

This invention relates to bank counter structures and, generally speaking, has in view to provide an improved structure of this kind involving a novel combination and arrangement of features designed to afford greater convenience and comfort and more working space for bank tellers, within a given floor area, than has been afforded by bank-counter structures of types at present in eneral use.

1ome of the improvements constituting the invention are capable of embodiment in bank-counter structures which are not inclusive of means for covering the counter proper, but in particular said improvements are designed to afford greater convenience and comfort and more working space for tellers than has heretofore been afforded in instances where a curtain of the roll top desk to type or other type of receding door or closureis provided for covering the counter. 7

It is recognized that the top of a bank counter cannot well be disposed appreciably above or below a standard height, and that 2 the usual window ledge orishelf in front of the counter over which the teller transacts business with customers of the bank likewise cannot appreciably be varied in height, and since it is impracticable to permit the counter closure to extend above the window shelf, it follows that the height between the counter top and the closure, when the latter is in a closed position, is necessarily restricted.

A change machine is recognized as an essential adjunct to any modern bank, and for the convenience of a: bank teller and in order to expedite his work, it is desirable that this machine should be disposed at most times in front of him in a convenient position for his 4 use. Due, however, to the fact that an ordinary change machine exceeds in height the greatest height that can conveniently be provided between the top of a counter and the closure therefor, ithas been common practice heretofore to remove the change machine from the counter at the end of a days work to permit the closure to be moved to closed position and, at the beginning of the next days work, to replace the machine on the counter, following opening of the :cover.

provided, nor in any way restrict the area of top.

This obviously is undesirable and inconvenlent for various reasons, and moreover it frequently happens that a teller may desire to utilize the entire counter top during the course of a days work, which means, of course, thatthe procedure of removing and replacing the change machine must be repeated. I

With a view to avoiding the foregoing disadvantages, it has been proposed heretofore to recess the working counter top and to provide therebelow an auxiliary counter top on which to support the change machine, thus to lower the change machine sufficiently to enable the closure to be moved to and from a' closed position without disturbing the change machine. Heretofore, however, in instances where auxiliary tops have been emiployed, it was considered necessary to lengthen the counter closure and to set back the edge of the working top to permit the closure to move across theedge of the working top sufficiently far downward to close the opening in the front of the counter structure resulting from recessing same to receive the change machine. As a consequence, not only has material expense been involved in furnishing closures of a required size, but what is of greater disadvantage, the area of the working top has been materially reduced.

Accordingly, one of the important objects of the present invention is to provide a bankcounter structure inclusive of means for supportinga change machine, adding machine or the like in a position for convenient use and at an elevation to enable the counter closure to be opened and closed without disturbing the machine, and which does not require a longer closure than is ordinarily the working top of the counter.

Another object of the invention is to provide a bank-counter structure embodying the foregoing features and which ispossessed of the additional advantage that ample leg space and space for the use of a stool and other devices is afforded beneath the working Another object of the invention is to pro- Vide 8.. bank-counter structure embodying an auxiliary shelf for cooperation with the usual shelf over which the teller transacts business to afford in efiect a single shelf of greater area than has heretofore been provided, this auxiliary shelf serving at the same time as a shield for the counter closure when the latter is in an open position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a change machine support which is readily movable to dispose the change machine beneath the working top and to simultaneously close the recess in the working top occupied by the change machine when the latter is disposed in a position for use, thereby to afford a continuous or uninterrupted working top area whenever same may be desired.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and defined in the appended claims.

In the drawings, wherein like characters of reference denote corresponding parts in the different views Figures 1 and 1 are, collectively, a rear elevation of a bank-counter structure embodying the present improvements.

Figure 2 is a transverse section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1

Figure 3 is a transverse section on the line 33 of Fig. 1, showing one embodiment of the present change machine support disposed in a position to expose the change machine for use.

Figure 4; is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing the change machine support moved to a position to dispose the change machine below the working top of the counter and the recess in the latter closed.

Figure 5 is a transverse section on the line 55 of Fig. 1.

Figure 6 is a transverse section on the line 66 of Fig. 1

Figure 7 is a rear elevation of the structure shown in Fig. 6; and

Figure 8 is an enlarged detail section on the line 88 of Fig. 6.

Referring to the drawings in detail, 10 designates the vertical partition wall rising from the floor to a suitable height at the front of the present counter structure, and 11 designates a plate glass or grid upward extension of said partition wall as is usual. Preferably a ledge 12 is provided at the front and slightly below the top of the wall 10 and the front of the wall 10 preferably is covered by a suitable finishing panel structure 13, but manifestly these features are optional.

The present counter structure preferably is of sheet metal construction and inclusive essentially of a so-called working top 14 which is disposed behind the wall 10 and at a suitable elevation below the top thereof. The front edge of this working top terminates in spaced relation to the wall 10 and has extending upwardly therefrom a plate or partition element 15. A ledge or shelf 16 is provided at the top of the wall 10 and an auxiliary shelf in the form of a plate 17 is provided for cooperation with said shelf 16 to form a rearward continuation thereof, thereby to provide in effect a single shelf of material width. The auxiliary shelf is supported at its front edge upon the top of the wall 10 as indicated at 18, and medially by the top of the partition element 15, thereby serving as a closure for the top of the space between said partition element and the wall 10 and extending in overlying relation to a front portion of the working top 14 so as to form a shield for articles disposed upon this portion of the working top and also as a shield for the working top closure, later to be referred to, when the latter is disposed in an open position.

The shelf 17 extends, or may extend, continuously throughout the length of the counter, but the partition element 15 does not contact therewith throughout the length of the latter. That is to say, vertical, transverse partitions 19 divide the working top 14 of the counter into a plurality of sections, one or more of which may be continually open and others of which are provided with closures, either of the roll top type shown or of other types, and in the case of such sections as are provided with closures the partition 15, terminates at its top below the auxiliary shelf 17 to afford an opening through which the closure may be moved to an open position into the space between the partition element 15 and the wall 10 as shown for example in Fig. 3 of the drawings, and from such position to a closed position in covering relation to the working top as shown for example in Fig. 6 of the drawings.

The receding closures for certain of the working top sections are designated as 20, and in the present instance these closures have been illustrated as being of the curtain or roll top desk type. Obviously, however, as heretofore stated, they may be of any other suitable type. In any event, the transverse partitions 19 carry suitable guide elements 21 in the present instance which support the ends of the closures and said guide elements are shaped so that the closures are slidable to and from their open and closed positions heretofore referred to, and as will be observed from Fig. 6, the outer edge of the closure rests upon the working top 14 when the closure is closed. Thus it will be apparent at this point that the present improvements contemplate a structure in which the closure 20 does not restrict the area of the working top of the counter insofar as 2 and 5, it will be observed that drawer compartments 23 are provided at suitable longitudinally spaced points beneath the working top 14 and that drawers 24 are slidably mounted in said compartments, Fig. 5 illustrating one manner in which certain or all of said drawers may be locked closed when the related closure 20 is closed and released by the closure when the latter is opened. That is to say, an intermediately pivoted gravity or spring pressed latch 25 is provided for engagement with a projection 26 on the rear of the drawer when the latter is closed to lock same in a closed position, and an arm 27 of said latch is disposed in the path of movement of the rear edge of the closure 20 so that when the latter is opened it actuates the latch to release the drawer.

As shown in Fig. 2, back plates 28 may be provided at the rear'of the spaces beneath the drawers 24 and said back plates may be disposed in considerable spaced relation to the wall 10, or, as shown in Fig. 5 said back plates may be disposed adjacent to said wall 10 and between the latter and the adjacent portions of the closure guide elements 21.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 1, 1 6, 7 and 8 of the drawings, it will be observed that the working top 14 is recessed as at 29 and that a platform or shelf 30 is supported from the working top at a suitable elevation beneath said recess so that a change machine, adding machine or the like supported upon said shelf will not interfere with opening and closing movements of the closure 20.

Beneath the platform or shelf 30 is formed a compartment inclusive in this instance of side walls 31 which may be constituted by downward extensions of the partitions 19, and a front wall 32, and fixed to said side walls are forwardly and rearwardly extending, horizontal guide elements 33 which may be in the form of channel .members as illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8. Slidable in each of these guide elements is a member 34 which likewise may be of channel form as shown.

The front wall32 is provided with an opening through which a door 35 extends, said door being provided for the purpose of closing the space beneath the recess 29 in the working top 14 and in front of the platform or shelf 30 when the closure 20 is closed, and being adapted to be opened to expose the front portion of the change machine or the like resting upon said platform when said closure is opened.

The door 35 is pivotedat its lower end to the slide members 34 as indicated at 36, and thus as is evident, due to the door being slidable through the opening in front wall 32, and provided the closure 20 is open, the door may be swung downwardly and outwardly and at the same time pushed inward into the compartment below the platform 30 to expose the front of a machine resting upon said platform, and such operation may be reversed to deny access to the front of the machine or to the working top 14 through the recess 29 when the closure 20 is closed.

It will be observed that when the door 35 is closed, i. e., disposed in a vertical position in front of the platform 30, the upper end thereof extends above the working top 14 and inwardly with respect to the path of movement of the outer edge of the closure 20. Thus, in view of the fact that said door must first be swung outwardly before it can be moved into the compartment beneath the platform 30, and since the closure 30 when closed prevents such movement of said door, it follows that when the closure 20 and the door 35 both are closed, the latter is locked closed by the former, and opening of the closure is essential to permit opening of the door.

Figs-3 and 4 of the drawings illustrate a platform or shelf for supporting a change machine or the like and which is swingable to and from a position to dispose the machine supported thereby for convenient use; also a closure for the recess in the working top 14 so that said recess is closed when the change machine support is swung to dispose the machine in an out of the way position beneath the working top. The change machine platform or shelf is designated as 37 and the closure for the recess 38 in the working top 14 through which access is afforded to a change machine mounted on the platform is designated as 39. The transverse partitions 19 extend below the working top 14 and between said partitions and the platform 37 and the closure 39 are provided connections whereby said platform and said closure are swingable between the positions stated. These connections are duplicated at the two ends of the platform and closure and therefore a description of one of said connections will sufiice for both.

Accordingly, referring particularly to Figs. 3 and 4, it will be observed that a lever 40 is pivoted intermediately as at 41 to the partition 19 and at one end is pivotally connected with the platform 37 intermediately there-of as at 42 and at its other end is pivotally connected with the closure 39 near the inn-er end thereof as at 43. A second L-shaped lever 44 is pivoted at one end to the partition 19 as at 45, above the pivot 41 of the lever 40, and at its other end is pivoted as at 46 to the closure 39 near the outer end thereof. Secured to the partition 19 forwardlyof and between the pivots 41 and 45 of the levers 40,44,

respectively, is a cam member 47 with which cooperates a roller 48 carried by the platform 37 The length of the levers 40, 44 and the distances between the respective pivots and the disposition of the cam member 47 relative to said levers and their pivots is such that when the closure 39 is disposed in a horizontal position with its upper face flush with the working top 14, and closing the recess 39, it is held in such position by reason of the lever 44 lying flat against the under face thereof and by reason of the lever 40 acting as a tension member preventing upward swinging movement of the inner end portion thereof. At the same time, the platform 37 is supported by the cam 47 and the lever 40 in an inwardly and downwardly inclined position (Fig. 4) with the machine m shown by dotted lines and mounted thereon disposed beneath the closure 39. Thus, assuming the parts to occupy the relative positions shown in Fig. 4, it is manifest that to uncover the recess 38 and to swing the platform 37 to a horizontal position to expose the machine m in a convenient position for use as shown in Fig. 3, it is simply necessary to exert a lifting force upon the front of the closure 39, the said closure thereby being caused by the levers 40, 44 to swing downwardly below the working top 14 and to occupy a vertical position adjacent to the wall 10. At the same time, by cooperation of the lever 40 and the cam and cam roller 47-48, the platform 37 is brought to a hori- Zontal position to elevate the machine at through the uncovered recess 38 thus to expose the machine in a convenient position for use, the levers 40, 44 by reason of the difference in their lengths and the disposition of their pivots, cooperating with the cam and cam roller 4748 to hold the platform 37 in this latter position.

In connection with the foregoing arrangement it will be observed that the closure 20, when closed is adapted to rest at its outer edge upon the upper outer edge surface of the closure 39 when the latter is closed. Conse quently, when both closures are closed it is impossible to swing the closure 39 from the position shown in Fig. 4 to the position shown in Fig. 3 without first having opened or partially opened the closure 20, since upward swinging movement of the outer end of the closure 39 is essential for opening of same and because such movement of said closure is prevented by the closure 20 when the latter is closed.

lVithout further description it is thought that the features and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and it will of course be understood that changes in the form, proportion and minor details of construction may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

I claim 1. In a bank-counter structure, a working counter top provided with a recess to accommodate a change machine or the like, a receding closure for said working top adapted when closed to rest at its outer edge upon the upper face of the working top, and means separate from said closure for preventing access through the recess insaid working top to the upper face of the latter when said closure is closed.

2. In a bank-counter structure, a working counter top provided with a recess to accommodate a change machine or the like, a change machine support beneath said recess, a receding closure for said working top adapted when closed to rest at its outer edge upon the upper-face of said working top, a closure member separate from said receding closure for preventing access through the recess in said working top to the upper face of the latter when said receding closure is closed, and means whereby said closure member is locked by said receding closure in a position preventing access to the upper face of the working top through said recess when said receding closure is closed.

3. In a bank-counter structure, a working counter top provided with a recess to accommodate a change machine or the like, a change machine support beneath said recess, a receding closure for said working top adapted when closed to rest at its outer edge upon the upper face of said working top, a

closure member separate from said receding closure for closing the space at the rear of the counter structure between said change machine support and said working top, and means mounting said closure member for sliding movement to an open position beneath said change machine support.

4. In a bank-counter structure, a working counter top provided with a recess to accommodate a change machine or the like, a change machine support beneath said recess, a receding closure for said. working top adapted when closed to rest at its outer edge upon the upper face of said working top, a closure member separate from said receding closure movable between a vertical position at the rear of the counter structure to close the space between the working top and the change machine support and a horizontal open position beneath said change machine support, and means whereby said receding closure when closed prevents opening movement of said closure member.

5. In a bank-counter structure, a working counter top provided with a recess to accommodate a change machine or the like, a change machine support beneath said recess, a receding closure for said working top adapted when closed to rest at its outer edge upon the upper face of said working top, a closure member separate from said receding closure movable between a vertical position at the rear of the counter structure to close the space between the working top and the change machine support and another posi tion to expose the front of a machine mounted on said support, and means whereby said receding closure when closed positively holds said closure member in a vertical position.

6. In a bank-counter structure, a working counter top provided with a recess to accommodate a change machine or the like, a platform beneath said recess for supporting a change machine, a compartment beneath said platform inclusive of a front wall having an opening therein, and a door slidable through said opening between a vertical position to close the space at the rear of the counter structure between said Working top and said platform and a horizontal position beneath said platform to expose the front of a machine mounted on said platform.

7. In a bank-counter structure, a working counter top provided with a recess to accommodate a change machine or the like, a platform beneath said recess for supporting a change machine, a compartment beneath said platform inclusive of side walls and a front wall having an opening therein, guide members carried by said side walls, and a door guided by said guide members for sliding movement through said opening between a vertical position to close the space at the rear of the counter structure between said working top and said platform and a horizontal position beneath said platform to expose the front of a machine mounted on said platform.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature.

ERIK A. EKEDAI-IL. 

